You don’t have to like Anthony Mundine. As if you didn’t know. Not before he lost to Daniel Geale. And certainly not after.

Mundine has always invited our ridicule. Dared us not to be disgusted by his ill-chosen words and his preposterous preening. The hokey faux-Ali impersonation. The political statements that can make Pauline Hanson seem as thoughtful and articulate as Ben Chifley.

Yet, even as he choked on bitter defeat, in some ways you could not help but admire Mundine. Not as a good loser. The judges gave it to Daniel Geale. Clearly, if not comprehensively. The experts agreed. Yet, boxing being boxing, and Mundine being Mundine, there were whines of discontent.

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‘‘They robbed me,’’ claimed Mundine. ‘‘You all seen it. A fighter knows when he’s in control. A fighter knows when he’s dictating the fight and winning the fight. I saw in his eyes he knew he lost. That just hurts, man. That blatancy, it hurts for me.’’

Mundine v Geale Boxing clash

Resonant not – for a rare time in boxing – of a corrupt decision. Rather, of a kind of cultural corruption. The win-when-I-lose mentality that has engulfed professional sport. Only Williams’s belated apology spared him greater humiliation.

Yet, despite the predictably tawdry aftermath, you have to admire Mundine as a fighter and a showman. It was a night when Australia embraced and celebrated Geale. An exciting and gracious champion. But one that would not have been possible, on home soil, without Mundine.

The pre-fight hype had infuriated and disgusted, as it always does. The storm-in-a-teacup wailing about Mundine trashing a national anthem that most barely mumble, and a flag that has become a fashion accessory for bigots and bogans. The rehashed story of Mundine’s supposed banishment from rugby league.

All part of the Mundine pre-fight storyline rotation policy.

Far more pertinent was Mundine’s divisive comments about Geale’s indigenous heritage. A line not even Mundine should have dared cross.

But if the build-up was tumultuous and abrasive, Mundine’s methods have been – as last night’s extravaganza proved – life support for the eternally beleaguered boxing scene. Some aficionados argue Mundine’s strictly pay-per-view appearances have lined only his pockets. Yet, without them, the biggest Australian fights would be in the leagues clubs and scout halls. Only Mundine has elevated a sport besieged by the animalistic appeal of the loathsome mixed martial arts bloodfests.

Only Mundine could set a stage like Wednesday night’s. A packed-out venue filled with politicians, footballers, TV celebrities and underworld figures. The chintzy trimmings that give big-time boxing its strangely alluring mixture of showbusiness glamour and seedy underbelly.

In defeat, Mundine also proved again he is a polished fighter, not merely an unrivalled promoter. It was defeat with honour – at least until he opened his mouth. Outpointed but not outgunned.

A demonstration of why Mundine deserves his place among the second echelon of Australian fighters. No Rose or Famechon or Darcy or Fenech or Carruthers. But one of the accomplished tradesmen worthy of enduring respect. For his deeds, if not always his words. Mostly, however, Mundine deserves praise for allowing us to exalt his conqueror. Without Mundine, Geale would most likely have played another away game. Mundine’s promotional and boxing skill meant we got to see him first-hand.

There is talk of a rematch. I hope that is not the case. Mundine has elevated Geale’s reputation here. At 31, if he is to rise to the highest realm, Geale must continue following a path Mundine failed to follow. To find his place among the global superstars. Geale’s previous victories overseas, and the way he endured the hype surrounding the Mundine fight, suggest the sanguine Tasmanian has an iron will and a unflappable nature inside the ropes.

Meanwhile, Sonny Bill Williams will fight Francois Botha in Brisbane. A bout that comes with the guarantee of real corruption. Not in the result, but of the sport’s sullied reputation.

253 comments

I'll reserve my admiration for someone who acknowledges when they're beaten by a better man. We always excuse bad behaviour in sportsmen, that would never be excused in any other walk of life. Proof, if any needed, that this country remains a captive of the lowest common denominator.

Commenter

Jace

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 9:35AM

Mundine has done nothing to earn either admiration or respect; and deserves neither.

Commenter

rob1966

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 9:55AM

Agreed, the line " Yet, despite the predictably tawdry aftermath, you have to admire Mundine as a fighter and a showman" is ridiculous, if by when you say "you" meaning myself then you should change it as I have no admiration for what this guy is doing to race relations by using his said "showmanship". I think most would agee you should change you to I. Reconsiliation is near impossible with his rhetoric and what is basically jibberish. Given his airtime is only going to create a rich bigot. Yes it works both ways.

Commenter

chrisk

Location

The Gap

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 10:05AM

Mundine is absolutely a champion boxer and absolutely a champion publicist. I agree it's second rate hokum compared to Ali, but he's having a go. I even kind of admire him for managing to turn a loss into a controversy!

Commenter

Bob

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 10:06AM

Has he ever displayed respect for others?. Is that possibly why you are suggesting that we look at his deeds?.

And "In defeat, Mundine also proved again he is a polished fighter, not merely an unrivalled promoter." Has he?. Then a minute ago i was reading another news item where he was claiming that he was 'robbed' of a victory. mmm...

Commenter

sam

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 10:11AM

Jace and Rob, agree 100%. He is an egomaniac and has done nothing to earn my respect.

Commenter

CeePee

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 10:20AM

Bob- turning a loss into conrovercy is one thing, but attacking others and baselessly accusing people of bias and racism is another thing entirely.

Commenter

Ian

Location

Sydney

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 10:24AM

Anthony Mundine does not deserve any respect because he does not give any respect. He has made a career out of blaming others for things that he has brought upon himself. A person of Mundine's ability and profile should be leader, not just in the Aboriginal Community, but across a wider Australian community that includes all races and religions. He has put the Austraian population at large offside by making outrageous statements about race, religion and politics not to mention his own hype which he was never able to quite fulfil.

In respect to Richard's Headline I disagree, he does not deserve any respect in the same way he has not given any respect to other Athletes, Community and Political Leaders and the general public. Perhaps Anthony has to take a good hard look at what he has achieved and consider that all his sporting achievements, which are very impressive, have been overshadowed by the verbal diahorrea that has constantly flowed from his mouth for the best part of 20 years.

Commenter

Mark.Algie

Location

Sydney

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 10:57AM

Mundine The Mouth deserves resepect for nothing. He runs his mouth off at every opportunity, making himself to be the WORST representative of his culture and country imaginable.

Commenter

DC

Location

Sydney

Date and time

January 31, 2013, 11:04AM

I acknowledge that the article is in some way attempting to temper the tone in The Age today about Mundine. But it is just another opportunity (the third today) for people to vent their spleen about this man. 90% of the threads are angry and critical. What is this all about? It was a fight - he sells them. It was a sell out. Please leave this man alone. He wasn't talking to you. Don't take it personally. Or is there another agenda here?

31 Jan
Anthony Mundine has no intention of quitting boxing after his defeat by Daniel Geale and believes he did enough in Wednesday night's IBF middleweight world title bout to not only warrant victory, but to boost his quest for fights against big name opponents.

1 Feb
WORLD middleweight champion Daniel Geale said he wanted to prove during Wednesday night's crushing points win over Anthony Mundine that the notion of sportsmanship was sacred - even against an ''idiot''.

1 Feb
ANTHONY MUNDINE may have lost Wednesday night's IBF world middleweight title fight against Daniel Geale but the drawing power of the outspoken three-times world champion was highlighted by massive readership figures for coverage of the bout on Fairfax websites.